Masks or No Masks; Delta Variant Makes It a Hard Choice

FYI from Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist. The Delta variant is a really troubling one. 

I did find the “ask your teacher if they are vaccinated” to be troubling. I think what could be helpful if schools could tell parents “75% of our staff is vaccinated.” But I doubt that will happen.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendations this morning stating: “Everyone older than age 2 [should] wear masks, regardless of vaccination status”. The AAP provided justification:

  • A significant portion of the student population is not yet eligible for vaccines; 
  • Masking is proven to reduce transmission of the virus and to protect those who are not vaccinated;
  • Many schools will not have a system to monitor vaccine status of students, teachers and staff; and,
  • Some communities overall have low vaccination uptake where the virus may be circulating more prominently. 
This goes against CDC’s recommendations that vaccinated people do not need to wear masks inside.

This chart is available at the story.


Thoughts?

Comments

Robyn said…
Ever since the CDC announced in May that vaccinated people should be able to go unmasked everywhere, I've feared that their policies are being driven by politics (the desire to "declare victory" over COVID) rather than public health. At that point, not even every adult had had access to vaccines for long enough to be fully immune, and the Pfizer vaccine had only been available to 12-15 year olds for a few days. It was infuriatingly premature and I think that "permission" to go unmasked (which unvaccinated people did as well) is what has driven the current surge and rise of the delta variant.

So between that and what we're learning about delta, I'm a little skeptical when the CDC says it's okay for vaccinated students/teachers to go unmasked in school classrooms, and a little more inclined to listen to the AAP's guidelines.

I would be shocked if SPS doesn't require masking for much or all of school, come fall. And I may change my mind, but right now I think it's an okay idea. (I would like them to periodically review their masking policy and change it as needed, though, rather than setting it in stone at the beginning of the year and never revisiting it. Conditions in this pandemic change so rapidly.)
7/21/21, 9:21 AM
Anonymous said…
Let’s save ourselves a whole lot of time and trouble and mask up this fall. I do not want our students sitting home a minute longer than needed while unions, families and district administration hash this out and examine HVAC, school buses, measure space between desks etc ad nauseum. There’s no one perfect defense against COVID, these multiple measures should be put to use. But let’s give our kids some mask breaks? There will of course be the student here or there that needs a non-mask accommodation, and we have mechanisms for that.

No Brainer
7/21/21, 10:48 AM
Weekly Testing said…
Unvaccinated teachers should be tested each week. We can't risk children's safety. Long term impacts of Covid are unknown.
7/21/21, 8:57 PM
Stuart J said…
I just saw the story that the J and J one shot vaccine is not protecting against Delta. That is bad news. I agree with the first poster, CDC decisions and recommendations are hard to follow as "scientific."
7/22/21, 12:28 AM
Anonymous said…
This NYT article nailed it IMO. Masks in our area which is already among most highly vaccinated in the US, will make less of an impact. Not arguing against, just sharing this article. People also need to understand the CDC makes broad guidelines for the entire US. Our immediate area with high vaccination & low-moderate transmission was not the impetus for the evolution. The areas that it makes most impact are already places less likely to follow medical & CDC guidelines evolving guidelines. That unfortunately probably won't change. Our area will likely remain low-moderate regardless, masks or no masks won't change that much. Other methods need to be employed to better reach the unvaccinated and high risk communities. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/briefing/mask-guidance-cdc-vaccinated.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

Reader2
7/28/21, 9:23 AM
Anonymous said…
Dr Fauci on PBS interview yesterday mentioned the importance of getting kids back in school in person as one impetus for the CDC K-12 mask guideline evolution. Because overwhelmingly it is viewed as so very important, including among the most progressive scholars. Another topic of discussion is this article, and read specifically the comment section that highlights Seattle, LA and San Francisco online school all year long policy, and associated ideology, in conflict with progressive NE. As a progressive left leaning person I agree with the majority of the NYT article critique (see Parth Parik & Berber NYC), quite flabbergasted at comments and an ideology that obscure the harm. I will go as far as agree with educational historians that it reminds me of arguments made long ago, against educating the poor and farmer's children, before public education for all was mandatory. Online is o.k for our most vulnerable because of ....? No way. Usually I agree with many if not most UW educators perspectives, but like others, I certainly did not in this case. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/us/covid-schools-at-home-learning-study.html#commentsContainer

Reader 2
7/28/21, 9:49 AM
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